Updated at 08.52
SERENA WILLIAMS broke down in tears and cut short her post-match press conference after another failed bid to equal Margaret Court’s record Grand Slam haul, calling her defeat to Naomi Osaka “a big error day”.
The veteran American’s quest to reach a ninth Australian Open final and match Court’s 24 major singles titles ended in a 6-3, 6-4 semi-final mauling by the Japanese third seed.
Williams, 39, broke early for a 2-0 lead before Osaka reeled off five straight games to leave her shellshocked.
“The difference today was errors. I made so many errors,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“Honestly, it was opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-0. It was a big error day for me.”
Pressed on what caused her to make so many mistakes, tears began to flow as she told reporters: “I don’t know. I’m done,” before walking out.
In a clash of power games clashed, it was Osaka who had the edge, hitting 20 winners to Williams’s 12, while also committing three fewer unforced errors on 21.
Williams said she had been hitting well all tournament and had no explanation for the loss other than “too many mistakes there, easy mistakes”.
Osaka’s victory left Williams still stranded on 23 Grand Slam crowns, one short of Court’s tally, with her last major title coming in Melbourne four years ago when she was pregnant.
Williams has lost four Slam finals since and as she walked off court put her hand over her heart, almost as if saying farewell.
Asked about it afterwards, she suggested the gesture was more about acknowledging the crowd, who were allowed back into Rod Laver Arena after a five-day snap lockdown and gave the American a rousing send-off.
“I don’t know. If I ever say farewell, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said.
It only seems like yesterday what a night to be remembered Stevo Stevo Stevo they were great days
They should replay this on Sky Sports or RTE please. This is the sort of iconic sports history they should be using to fill the void.
Well Eubank’s wasn’t the only camp spooked by Tony Quinn’s witchcraft! The Limerick hurlers certainly were in the buildup to the 1995 Munster Final, when Loughnane’s Clare team also utilised Quinn’s services. Clare hurled like demons possessed.
@Colm O’Sullivan: Are you actually trying to liken a provincial hurling match to a world championship fight…..?
@Con Al: Ridiclous,a munster final is no place for the likes of those boxers,way too dangerous.
@Con Al: No I’m not.
@Colm O’Sullivan: Clare hurling supporters are worse than England football supporters for living in the past…..1995 was their 1966. Sad.
@Sharp Elsi Mate: not sure where you’re going with that one mate, Clare repeated All Ireland wins in ’97 and 2013!!! Just saying.
@Sharp Elsi Mate: I’m not from Clare though.
I was working in the small grill bar kitchen of the Berkeley court hotel that night, and will always remember flooding the kitchen with water from the Bain marie and calling the union rep down under health and safety in order to get the kitchen closed so we could watch the fight in the canteen
God. 25 years… it was incredible. Stayed in Jurys in Cork city and got but to flight with 2 English friends. When Eubank appeared on the motor bike about 10 feet from us. It was definitely the best atmosphere I ever felt. The 2 lads forgot themselves and started Stevo along with everyone else.
@DeWitt: I was about 10ft away from where he appeared on the motorbike too! And when Eubank lost and was leaving the ring, the chants of “On your bike, on your bike, on your bike.” rang out.
Really like the idea of a Katie Taylor fight some time outside of Dublin.
@Sharp Elsi Mate: has she fought in dublin?
@Darren World: I’m sure in her earlier days! In her current form if she ever fights at here at home you can be sure it will be in Dublin or the general area.
I was in school in St. Brigids Castleknock at the time and Collins son was a year or two below us… In he landed on the Honda Gold wing with the belt and all…. It was absolutely brilliant. We all went mental. I think from that moment I loved boxing.